LEWIS HAMILTON and Jenson Button have both warned Sebastian Vettel to write off McLaren at his peril.

Vettel put returning compatriot Michael Schumacher in his place yesterday with a pole position to savour for today’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

While all eyes have been on the seven-time champion’s comeback, Vettel quietly went about his business to stun Ferrari, the McLaren boys, as well as fellow German Schumacher.

Last year’s championship runner-up, who won two of the final three races, has effectively started this season as he finished 2009, seemingly as the man to beat.

As for the sport’s last two champions, 2008 king Hamilton starts fourth, with last year’s title holder in Button down in eighth, one place behind Schumacher.

With Ferrari duo Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso second and third – another surprise with the Brazilian outpacing the double world champion of 2005 and 2006 – the McLarens have it all to do.

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh, however, felt both of his drivers “did a really good job,” albeit a point Button personally disagreed with.

“It’s very kind of Martin to say that, but I was very disappointed to be down in eighth,” assessed Button of his maiden qualifying run in defence of his crown. The good thing is we have issues we can solve for tomorrow, and we have a good car with high fuel, so it’s not all over yet.”

There is no re-fuelling this year, ensuring all 24 cars on the grid will start with a full tank.

“I don’t think we’ll have the same result in the race as we had in qualifying,” added Button.

“For me, it’s a bit of a surprise they (Red Bull) are that quick. I spoke to Mark (Webber) yesterday, and he knew they were going to be quick in qualifying.

“He was a little less sure in the race, though, but then he might not be telling me the whole truth.”

Hamilton was half a second quicker than Button, but a second down on Vettel, which would appear too great a margin to overcome.

Yet the 25-year-old said: “I can’t be unhappy with fourth. It’s a positive start for us.

“We realise now we genuinely aren’t as fast as the Red Bulls and the Ferraris.

“I was struggling, so to get into Q3 and get fourth, I am quite surprised by that. For me, it’s a good starting point.”